April 4, 2011 – Another piece of software using semantic technology to help our dining experience be just a little bit better. I don’t know about you, but this gets my attention.
We found this interesting piece of news on Teatro International in their article, “How to use web semantic language to choose wine.” Web scientist and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Tetherless World Research Constellation Professor Deborah McGuinness isn’t new to developing applications for the wine enthusiasts. She has been doing it before the Internet was normal nomenclature. McGuinness is now considered one of the world’s experts in Web ontology languages.
The most recent wine application is an exceptional tool for teaching future web scientists about ontologies.
“The wine agent came about because I had to demonstrate the new technology that I was developing,” McGuinness said. “I had sophisticated applications that used cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology in domains, such as telecommunications equipment, that were difficult for anyone other than well-trained engineers to understand.”
Using semantic technology, the online sommelier is input with basic background knowledge about wine and food. The semantic technologies beneath the application then encode that knowledge and apply reasoning to search and share that information. The application can also be used to make personal wine suggestions, manage a personal wine cellar, and link with the inventory of the local liquor store or wine shop.
In my humble opinion, this is a good use of semantic technology. But then again, I might be just a little subjective.
Melody K. Smith
